02. Life Is Strange: True Colors || PlayStation 5 || 02.05.22
Truthfully, while leading up to the Life Is Strange: True Color's release, I wasn't impressed with the story shown by the trailer. Nevertheless, it's tradition for me to play through each of the LIS entries with someone else, so I knew it was only time before I eventually sat down to experience the game. Generally, my first impressions carried on to what are now opinion based on experience.
Just as previous series entries, True Colors offers a player-driven narrative experience. Upon the story's onset, the player-character is introduced to Alex, a young adult who has faced many hardships as she's been separated from family for some time while having faced domestic problems prior to the separation. On her own, she's struggled. However, in this moment, Alex's circumstances seem to have shifted into the possibility of a much more positive future. After recently reconnecting with her older brother, Alex has just arrived to her brother's home—a quaint yet picturesque town named Haven home to a warm community. Unfortunately, this happiness truly is momentary, as Haven's secrets slowly become uncovered after the events relating to the suspicious death of Alex's brother are investigated.
As typical to LIS entries, the player-character Alex is gifted with a unique power. The main gimmick for each title varies, and, for this entry, Alex's power relates to the power of empathy which allow her to read the strong emotions of others. In time, Alex begins to develop her powers further by transmuting others emotions to better reach outcomes favored to meet Alex's goal in finding justice for her brother. While having been gifted this power some time ago, it has often led to negative consequences as Alex has struggled with controlling her own emotions. Throughout the course of the game, the player comes to realize these powers are the result of powerful trauma that Alex has experienced. In regards to those whom Alex meets, their emotions vary: some have general frustrations or relationship problems, while others hold grief or guilt. in this regard, the problems of Haven's townspeople felt varied and unique. However, the cast is not that strongly developed or likeable, although I did sympathize with Alex and the problems she faces.
Relating to Alex's powers, I felt as if they are fine in concept but that the execution could have been more successful. For instance, instead of audibly explaining how others are feeling, showing the player extended segments of their trauma firsthand or even to explore on their own would have been a better possibility. At times, minor disconnected clips play out, but they were not as interactive as I am envisioning a more successful execution. Other times when delving into someone's psyche, reality becomes distorted to reflect how that person feels. Again, this aspect felt underdeveloped but was appreciated in the few instances it occurred. Expanding these aspects would not have only brought more variety and interest to the overall story but also to the game's greater cast.
Now, there are two other aspects I hold strong negative opinion over. The first is the game's "indie" atmosphere. Often, characters revel in their love of modern, lesser-known music which is a trend across LIS titles but perhaps strongest in True Colors. It is fine to have these sort of interests, but the game repeatedly draws on this theme. From general ambiance, the town itself, and to the plot, this indie aspect pervades the overall experience, and it is honestly embarrassing to get through each and every time. The second is the ability for Alex to romance. Personally, I was not invested in pursuing romantic interests, but the narrative seemed to strongly sway the player into choosing options relating to romance.
Despite my opinions to the game's weaknesses, I did still feel invested in the story. The plot maintained my engagement, although those interested in playing shouldn't expect anything too noteworthy in the plot and the direction it takes. The closing chapter largely served as the final outcome to choices made prior. Aside from few moments, the story plays out on its own without much player choice. Which ending Alex receives is determined by the player in the game's final moments, but the details revolving which ending is chosen vary. Having only played the game once, I am interested to see just how varied details can become from my initial results. In regards to the ending I received, again, it felt weak and generally boring. Without knowing definitively, I can only imagine the possibilities for alternate endings may be, and they don't seem that interesting either. I've gone back to play past entries again, so re-visiting True Colors is something I probably will do at some point.
However, this is not to say that True Colors is without any strengths. It has been some time since my last LIS playthrough, but I felt as if this title offered more varied gameplay. Largely, this is related to Chapter 3 where most of the game's cast partake in a LARPing session and additional gameplay mechanics are temporarily introduced. At the same time, I felt as if there was more involved problem-solving relating to locating collectibles. At times, the player needs to perform actions in a certain sequence instead of merely finding the collectible. This is a small improvement over past entries but is still worth mentioning.
Overall, True Colors was an average experience and generally what I was expecting of it based on my initial reaction to its reveal. After some thought, it is a little difficult to determine True Color's audience, but I suppose it is for young adults or even teenagers, so many here would probably not find any interest. Nevertheless, I'm sure that the future of Life Is Strange is strong which means I'm sure I'll continue the tradition of mine to play each entry. Hopefully the series can find better grounding in its next entry.
